Take a glimpse inside the law enforcement efforts of Wyoming’s game wardens--the 2016 Wyoming Game and Fish Department Law Enforcement report is now available. This annual report highlights the law enforcement efforts and related activities of Game and Fish law enforcement personnel throughout the state.
“Game and Fish places a high-priority on wildlife law enforcement to meet the public’s expectations to conserve wildlife and enforce boating laws. We invest significant manpower and resources protecting our exceptional wildlife resources and ensuring public safety,” said Game and Fish Chief Game Warden Brian Nesvik.
Inside the report are regional stories of some of the unique and most notable solved poaching cases of the year. Many of these cases were solved with help from Stop Poaching tips from the public.
“Game and Fish thanks the public for their efforts to help us protect and conserve wildlife. Together, we have made a difference, and that is visible over this past year by our successful law enforcement efforts within Wyoming,” said Nesvik.
The report notes in 2016, 512 Stop Poaching tips were received from members of the public through the Stop Poaching hotline, text tip line and the Game and Fish website. Game Wardens followed up on these tips, and in several instances, wardens were able to identify wildlife violations and possible suspects. Investigations led to 63 citations and 13 warnings being issued to violators. Reward payouts to individuals who reported violations that resulted in successful prosecution totalled $15,500, paid for through the Wyoming Wildlife Protectors Association. Defendants charged as a result of tips made to the Stop Poaching Program paid $85,170 in fines and restitution. In all, there were more than 4,000 law enforcement actions statewide in 2016.
Other areas of interest within the report include the work of the Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory, the Wear it Wyoming watercraft safety program and the Large Carnivore section.
To stay informed on Game and Fish law enforcement year round, visit the Game and Fish law enforcement website.
